It's a SAD Christmas

Merry Christmas!! 

I’m finally on holiday, school has been a lot really but hey, It’s Christmas and it’s that time of year to chill, spend time with family, eat a ton and reflect - generally just be happy.

Personally, It doesn’t really feel like Christmas this year and if I am asked to pinpoint the cause, I really can’t mention an exact reason why I feel this way. Something in the air just doesn’t feel like Jingle bells.

Now apparently, this might sound ridiculous to you but I truly do feel this way and guess what? 

I am not the only one, and even more surprisingly, there’s medical evidence to back it up!

Follow me!

A SAD Christmas

“ When the days grow shorter, some humans get sad”

So you’ve probably been thinking - what does Jojo mean by SAD?

SAD in this context, is not a feeling of deject which is the opposite of “happy” rather an acronym standing for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight. 

Shocking no? 

What are the causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder?

The presence or absence of the sun affects the mood of some individuals during months or better yet seasons when there are changes such as the fall or winter, especially winter which just happens to be December and the month for the biggest annual celebration.

Reduced exposure to natural sunlight in winter is perceived to be a key factor in the development of SAD. The lack of sunlight can disrupt the body's internal clock - circadian rhythms and lead to imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin, which play a role in mood regulation and sleep-wake cycles.

In fact, a survey of 5,000 Europeans from Coffee and Health found that when days shorten, 21 percent of us become more anxious, 24 per cent find it harder to concentrate and 25 per cent lose motivation to exercise.

Other factors can  also play a role in developing SAD such as living at higher latitudes, an inherited history of depression or being female sadly.

That particular piece of information saddened me in fact a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, believes that’s a trend from our long-ago past, saying, “Ten thousand years ago, this biological tendency to slow down during winter was useful, especially for women of reproductive age, because pregnancy is very energy-intensive.” 

Very weird trend, I must say.

Symptoms of SAD

Now SAD could be mild or severe but is highly characterized by being recurrent due to the fact that it is seasonal therefore it happens annually. 

People who have SAD experience low energy - you feel too tired to get up from bed, your sleep cycles become irregular most commonly excessive and sluggish tendencies are heightened.

Furthermore, engaging in activities you formerly loved becomes a chore, there’s a feeling of sadness for days on end and in extreme cases of SAD, thoughts of not wanting to live might surface. 

Concentration difficulties, appetite changes and unusual cravings for carbohydrates and junks increases which may result in excessive weight gain are also forms of SAD symptoms.

Trying to assess myself based on this tells me that I have been feeling low, I sleep normally yet it hasn’t felt refreshing but I still engage in activities I love though and I haven’t had carb cravings so I think I am good to go and find something else to relate my feeling “non-Christmassy” to.

How about you?

How to Deal with SAD?

Now that you know the what and why of SAD, let’s discover how to manage this recurring disorder annually.

• Regulate your sleep - Make sure you wake and nap at the same time each day, this will help to improve your circadian rhythms therefore reducing the effects of lack of sunlight.

• Eat a balanced diet - Favoring carbs during the season where SAD is prominent is a major red flag, stick to a bit of all, have a balanced nutrition plan to avoid consumption dilemmas or unfavorable weight changes.

• See the great outdoors - Get outside, exercise, take a walk, keeping yourself active reduces the tendency to feel de-energized, tired or lazy. Focus heavily on your self-care.

• Light therapy - Light therapy (phototherapy) is a common and effective treatment for SAD which involves exposure to a bright light that simulates natural sunlight. There is also a SAD light box specifically engineered to the patient's level and frequency based on their symptoms.

• Swift Action - In a case where symptoms persist or worsens after trying the tips above, see a medical professional. Such a person may require psychotherapy and antidepressants.

There you have it, five key steps to make sure you aren’t SAD this Christmas, Be sure to perform all!

I haven’t quite yet made a decision on what exactly is affecting me this Christmas but I hope I was able to shed light on a thing or two for you about a medical condition surrounding such feelings you might also be having. 

I would definitely love it if you left a like and comment for this post and if you have a Christmas experience to share, I would love to know how you’re doing.

Merry Christmas to you my esteemed reader and thank you for being here for the last post of 2023!

It’s been an awesome beginning for Jojo talks med and it couldn’t have been done without you! 

See you next year>

Much Love, Jojo.